Clean Makeup Alternatives

Replacing all my makeup with clean alternatives required lots of research, ordering, sampling & returning. This post has been a process of trial & error that has taken me about a year to fine tune.  I'm really happy to have found brands that offer great products that have allowed me to have zero guilt about leaving some of my old toxic favorites behind for good. I'm going to share all my makeup favorites and the shades I wear in each, sorted by category below. 

As far as where to buy all this Credo is my favorite. It's like Sephora but EVERYTHING is clean. I love that so many of my favorite brands can be bought there at the same time. They offer 10% off your first purchase too.

Tinted SPFs, Foundations, Powder & Concealer

Suntegrity Impeccable Skin in shade Buff- Mineral Matte tinted coverage with Broad spectrum SPF 30 coverage. This one is my favorite everyday base. I either wear it alone of make a little cocktail with a drop of my other non SPF foundations. I apply this one with my Artis oval 7 brush. Minimal coverage color-wise but feels very hydrating. 

ILIA Super Serum Skin tint SPF 40 in shade ST9 Paloma- This one is my second fav base that offers sun protection. Honestly the only reason I use it any less than the Suntegrity is that the eye dropper isn't as easy to use as the pump. It comes out a bit white which can make it seem like its going to be too light but it self adjusts just like when you apply sunscreen to your body and it looks a bit white at first. This has the coverage of a tinted moisturizer. Just a touch of color but makes your skin feel great because its a serum so the skincare is built right in. 

ILIA True Skin Foundation in shade SF3.5 Corsica- A medium to light coverage foundation. This is the one I mix with a little of either of the above SPF bases. Perfect for days you want to feel like you are wearing makeup but not too much. Just your real skin but better. 

Kosas Tinted Face Oil- This is one of those that just sounds like a disaster but holy cow is it good. I'm not sure how it works or what the magic is in it but its a dry oil that feels so silky and dreamy on your skin but doesn't look like oil like the name suggests. Unlike any other foundation I've ever tried. 

Merit Perfecting Complexion Stick in shade Bisque- The claim is that its not a foundation or a concealer but it will replace both. It's just so easy to use! I just use a few dabs in the spots I and it in and buff it with my Morphe buffer brush which is the most affordable and effective brush for your money in my opinion. 

Kosas Super Creamy Concealer in shade 3.5- Another fine Kosas product with the skincare made right in! What could be better. This concealer has zero cakey properties! Just lush, creamy and glowing.

ILIA Radiant Translucent Powder SPF- This acts like a mattifier. Its a white powder that goes on with no color but the best part of all is that its SPF 20. Its basically powder sunscreen. Even Athena likes to use this one. All the fun of using Mamas makeup brushes but gives her & I some extra sun protection.

Bronzer & Highlighter 

 ILIA Nightlite Bronzer in shades Novelty and Drawn In- I Love these two because they are truly matte bronzers which seems to be kind of tricky to find. Most have a touch of sparkle in them and I like to have the option of adding that on my own with a different product.

Beauty Counter Luminous Highlighter Powder in Topaz- This is my favorite highlighter I've ever used. A peachy bronze with the prettiest natural shine. Reminds me of that subtle sparkle of tanned cheeks. I use this one on my cheekbones as well as in any place you would use highlighter. 

glo Skin Beauty Bronze in shade Sunkiss- This is your all in one bronzer highlighter. Bronzer with a little hint of sparkle for when you want a little easy color and warmth. 

Kosas: Tropic Equinox Color and light creme- This is legit the best color I've ever used on my cheeks. I bought it as a bronzer but use it as a blush. It comes with the darker shade as well as a highlighter in a duo. The cream blends like a dream and is the perfect non-pinky blush that acts like a color corrector to take the reddish tone out of my skin. My favorite grab and go color. Some days this is all I wear and it wakes my skin right up. 

Lips

ILIA Balmy Gloss Tinted Lip Oil in shade Only You- Pretty much the only actual lip color I wear. A great rich nude in a super luxe oil formula. Feels so lightweight that it's a wonder that there is any color in it at all. Just a nice touch of color.

Billie Super Salve- I got a holiday kit with all 3 colors in it and love them all. Each has just a slight wash of color but feel nourishing like a chapstick or lip balm. Rhubarb, which is an orangy-red, is my most used of the three followed by Sorbet, a light wash of creamy soft pink.

Kosas Wet Lip Oil in Jellyfish- Lish is just like the ILIA lip oil only with the faintest tint of pink. Really just like a clear lip balm in my opinion.

Cheeks

ILIA Multi Stick in shade I put a Spell On You- The only Blush I own. It's either this or the Kosas tropic Equinox from the bronzer section. Thats it! This one can be used all over hence the multi stick part of the name but I only use it on my cheeks.

Mascara

Saie Beauty Mascara 101 in Black: This is the only one for me. I have repurchased this one so many times. Its just so good I don't even try any others. Good formula, Quality brush and smooth application. 

Eyeliner

ILIA Clean line Gel Liner in shade Dusk- A great dark brown with a twist up applicator. Easy application and no sparkle.

Beauty Counter color Outline Pencil in brown- this one is my favorite for everyday. Light coverage and natural look especially for the lower lid. it also has the teeniest bit of sparkle that really goes unnoticed on the eye but adds to its easy wearability. This one requires a sharper in case thats a deal breaker for you.

Jillian Dempsey Khol Eyeliner in WaterProof Rich Brown- Easy to wear dark brown. This and the ILIA are my most worn. i like that this comes with the little smudger on the end too. easy to apply and not at all dry like some waterproof colors.

Kat Von D Tattoo Liner in shade Trooper Black- I got this one as a sample and it said it was vegan but I'm not sure if this one is clean but it's the only black liquid liner I have and I don't use it much, you know, considering I haven't really needed a dramatic cat eye during a pandemic. 

Eyeshadow

p/y/t Beauty Day-to-Night No BS eyeshadow Palette- This is the only Eyeshadow I own now. I had a hard time finding one with neutrals that were matte and wearable. Every color in this Palette is an easy to wear neutral with colors that work for both day and night. All you need and really affordable!

Can't live without Tools

Tweezerman tweezers- Took me a few years to get a pair but once I bit the bullet and stopped buying cheap drugstore tweezers and used these, there was no going back. I have had these for probably 10 years and they are still just amazing.

Tweezerman Slant scissors- My eyebrows were once referred to by a high school friend as a square root symbol. Since they have that naturally angular arch, these scissors help me get a really straight and precise line to knock out all those little hairs. i just brush up with a spoolie and trim. Ive had and used these for probably 5 years. Solid investment. 

Kevin Accoin Sharpener- YEARS ago, like 12, after thinking I could just use any old sharpener and it would be fine, someone hyped this one up and I was like, no way, it won't matter. Oh, but it did and there is no going back. Sharpens every pencil perfectly. No more wasted liner from failed attempts at getting a solid point. And it's only $4

Shu Uemura Eyelash Curler- The best. Had it for years and all I have to do to freshen it up is buy the extra insert pads and swap them out from time to time. gives the most perfect curl with no weird dent.